Family man Bob Ebden told today how he was left for dead by his brother-in-law in a sickening brick attack.

The 58-year-old grandfather was building a home barn conversion when he was battered by his business partner.

Deranged Tony Richardson rained blows on Mr Ebden's head with a housebrick until he collapsed semi-conscious in a pool of blood.

But Richardson could be out of jail next year and living next door to Mr Ebden.

The horror attack inside the then shell of the home at Cawthorn Cottage, Prestwick Whins, near Ponteland, left the cabbie fighting for life with multiple skull fractures and a brain clot.

Now Mr Ebden is locked in a legal land battle with Richardson who is serving four-and-half-years for GBH with intent. He could be freed next year.

And Mr Ebden's lawyers, Newcastle-based Irwin Mitchell, have started civil action against Richardson for damages as a result of the injuries he suffered in the attack.

Looking around the luxurious bungalow now, there are no traces of last year's bloody clash.

Mr Ebden spoke exclusively to the Chronicle for the first time of his ordeal, and the toll taken on his wife Irene.

He said: "I nearly died in this house and for what? Tony was in the family company Irene and I set up to develop the barn properties.

"All we wanted was a lovely home for us, and he had the adjacent development as his dream home.

"He attacked me when he turned up on the site as I was kneeling down opening a tin of paint.

"Tony talked about the solicitor's letter he had sent me stating where he intended to put his two-metre high boundary fence across our land - right outside our patio doors. I wasn't prepared to row with him and I didn't expect his outburst.

"He threw a brick which hit me on the head and then just carried on hitting me with repeated blows."

Mr Ebden spent five weeks in Newcastle General Hospital after surgeons saved his life.

He now has a permanent titanium plate in his skull after part of his brain was cut away to relieve a bloodclot and swelling.

Still receiving counselling for mood swings as a result of his injuries, Mr Ebden said his wife has suffered more than him.

He said: "She has had to put up with my panic attacks, headaches and irritable behaviour.

"Now we are facing more problems as her brother has blocked any sale of his property or our home.

"She can't bear the thought that he will get out to come back here.

"I survived the attack, thanks to the skill of the surgeons and the love and support of Irene, my family and friends.

"Tony is still a blight on our lives, even in prison. And if he's released next year, he could come back and live next door to us."

Mrs Ebden, 59, Bob's wife of 37 years, told how she found her stricken husband hours after the attack in February last year.

The couple had been renting a home at nearby Hillhead Farm while their new property was taking shape.

Before her 50-year-old brother was arrested and initially charged with attempted murder, she too feared for her life while her husband was in hospital.

"I was frantic because Bob hadn't come home that Sunday lunchtime and I feared Tony had been involved," said Irene who is on anti-depressants.

"Bob was punched by Tony months earlier because Tony is irrational and a control freak.

"Tony was closer to me than anyone else in the family. But I always knew there was something strange about him. He was cold towards my late parents, and he thought he was superior to most people.

"When I heard him groan and saw him lying with blood pouring from his head I screamed."

The family had formed Prestwick Development Ltd when they found their ideal plot of land and a contract was drawn up in 2000.

Bob and Irene, also have a son, Stephen, and three grandchildren, Cameron, 10, Lewis, seven, and five-year-old Jessica.

The couple intended to do up the other buildings on the plot to sell off and give them a mortgage-free lifestyle. The Ebdens chose their property to live in and Richardson, an aeronautical engineer with British Aerospace, picked out his barn conversion.

Richardson put #285,000 into the project and the Ebdens pitched in around #165,000.

Richardson's property was developed first and Bob started to convert his own home.

Now Richardson's home lies empty, and the Ebdens can't sell his share or theirs to start a new life because of legal restraints put on them by Richardson.

John Davis of Irwin Mitchell said: "This is clearly a very distressing case for Robert, his wife and his family.

"I would like to offer my best wishes to them for the future.

"Robert has been left seriously injured by this vicious assault and his assailant has since been convicted. We are now bringing a civil action against the assailant.

"We will be seeking full justice for the Ebden family, whose lives have been hugely affected by this violent assault."

Newcastle Crown Court heard how jet designer Richardson of Parkfield Road, Ryton, near Gateshead, struck his brother-in-law up to seven times with the brick, leaving him close to death and then went shopping.

Richardson drove from the scene in his BMW and instead of getting help went to the MetroCentre where he bought a new pair of jeans.

He even played squash with an off-duty police officer who didn't notice anything different in his behaviour

He admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent on February 6 last year.